The troupe arrive and meet Sven and Delta

At length the wagons drew to a halt on the quay and the passengers disembarked. Rionna, Ylva Miele and Karra got onto the cobbles. The Voltsvaghn was truly an impressive vessel, and Karra herself had never seen anything quite like it. There was what looked like a large chimney extending from the middle of the boat that went high into the sky. Black smoke was issuing out. At the rear of the boat, a huge water-wheel was standing idle.

There was a dwarf standing by the gangplank to welcome them. The girls joined Stefan, Suresh, Zdenyek and Kullus in approaching the figure.

‘Greetings,’ said the dwarf warmly. ‘My name is Sven Hasslefresian, designer, builder, owner and captain of the Voltsvaghn, the greatest ship in the world.’

‘And I’m Kullus,’ said Kullus, ‘representing Cyrus’ troupe of dancers, the greatest entertainers in Tharros.’

‘Your exploits are legendary,’ said Sven, ‘the Countess has chosen well for her entertainment. Naturally, she has asked me to make clear that nothing that comes to pass tonight should ever be made public. For whereas details of your dealings with the house of von Koningswald might enhance your reputation even further, it would ruin the Countesses’. And that is something she simply could not allow.'

‘We understand,’ said Kullus.

‘Very well,’ said Sven, moving aside to leave the gangplank free so that they could pass, ‘come aboard. Cast off is in ten minutes.’

The troupe made their way up the gangplank and onto the deck of the boat. At the top, they were greeted by the woman that Karra had noticed from the carriage below. Close up, the woman was astounding. She could be no more than twenty. Her hair was ice white and cut in a cute bob that fell down on either side of her face. Her eyebrows were arched and her eyes themselves large and wide, set either side of a cute nose. The woman was wearing fingerless black leather gloves that extended past her elbows and up to her biceps, and a black leather bra that in no way understated the proportions of what was obviously a massive pair of tits. Each side of her slender waist was decorated with a series of tattoos of flowers, complemented with another black tattoo that ringed the topmost part of her right thigh. The rest of her legs were clad in black stockings and her feet placed in a pair of black platform heels. An ebony dildo was currently protruding from her uncovered pussy, the woman grinding it slowly against her sex as she faced the troupe.

‘Greetings,’ the woman said. ‘My name is Delta. I am the Countesses’ handmaid. You are from Cyrus, I understand.’

‘That’s correct,’ said Kullus.

‘The Countess is getting ready. Please help yourself to refreshments on the aft deck before we begin.’

Delta, still sliding the dildo in her pussy as she walked, led the eight of them to the deck. At the end of the boat, the huge water wheel stood imposingly above them. The deck itself was being lit with oil lamps in the approaching dusk. Couches and cushions littered the deck. There were all manner of drinks, and the whores began helping themselves.

‘The Countess has her own stateroom, but all her guests should be out presently. As soon as we’re out in the bay, she will make her appearance.’

As if on cue, the call came from Sven, ‘Cast off!’

At this, the mooring ropes were released and the immense waterwheel began to turn behind them. Slowly, the Voltsvaghn moved out into the open water.